It’s easy to forget about wheel alignments. They seem like a service that isn’t truly all that necessary, and that’s actually a big mistake. Wheel alignments are a lot more important than most car owners realize, and MotivWerks is here to explain why that’s true.
Understanding Wheel Alignments
Wheel alignments feel complicated, but they’re actually quite simple. All four wheels need to point in the correct direction, straight ahead, and they also need to be angled properly in relation to the wheel hub and the car. All of these tiny adjustments help the car to move properly and to steer correctly as you’re driving. Improper alignment means that the engine has to work harder and the tires get chewed up more quickly.
What Causes Alignments to Change?
It might sound like an unwinnable battle, but simply driving is enough to knock your car’s wheels out of alignment. Hitting bumps, potholes, and even just road debris. If you’re in an accident, even a small one that doesn’t seem to cause any damage, the alignment can get knocked off by a small amount. Other mechanical issues, like suspension system trouble, can also affect the alignment.
Side Effects of Alignment Issues
When your wheels are out of alignment, that can cause a whole host of other issues. How your car handles can change dramatically, and you may find that the car starts to pull in one direction. As the alignment gets worse, that pull can become stronger and may even be dangerous. The car won’t be traveling in a straight line, so that can cause the tires to wear unevenly or far more than they should. Left for too long, misaligned wheels can even cause damage to the suspension system.
Signs of Bad Wheel Alignment
One of the biggest signs of improper wheel alignment can be if the car starts to drift or to pull as you’re driving. When you aren’t driving, another sign can be to put the steering wheel in its neutral “straight” position, in which you expect that your front wheels are straight as well. Turn the car off and check the tires. If they’re turned while the wheel is not, that’s a sign of bad alignment. Look at your car’s tires, too. If they’re showing greater wear than you expect or the tread wear is uneven, that could be an alignment issue.
Not sure what’s going on with your wheels? MotivWerks in Chambersburg, PA can check the alignment on all four wheels for you and adjust them properly. We can help with a variety of other services and repairs, too, so give us a call today to set up an appointment.